Community Events

Novena of Grace begins

St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church, 330 E. Boone, will host the 72nd annual Novena of Grace next week with the theme, “Spirituality for the Third Millennium.”

Services, every day from today through March 14, will be at 12:15, 3:30, 5:15 and 7:30 p.m. The 5:15 and 7:30 p.m. services will include Mass.

“Novena,” which means “nine” in Latin, refers to the number of continuous days of prayer. A tradition that dates back to the 17th century, a novena is a community prayer service in which people gather to ask God’s help and to give thanks.

This year’s novena will be led by the Rev. Michael Moynahan and Marie Leonardini. (323-5896)

Kosher dinner March 14

Temple Beth Shalom will serve its annual traditional Kosher dinner from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 14. The menu will include a variety of traditional relishes, challah (egg bread), brisket of beef, potato knishes (mashed potatoes in a pocket of dough), carrot tzimmes (cooked with onions and seasonings with a fruity flavoring of prunes and oranges), Mediterranean spiced apples and apricot kuchen (cake).

The day will also include traditional Jewish music provided by the Klezmer Orchestra and performances by the Shalom Singers and the Temple Beth Shalom Israeli Dancers.

The tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and are available at the temple, 1322 E. 30th; Huppin’s Photo, Hi-Fi and Video, 415 W. Main; Creme de la Creme in the Flour Mill; Pawn 1 North, 7102 N. Division; or Pawn 1 East, 11812 E. Sprague. (455-4543 or 747-3304)

Workshops planned

Faculty and staff from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma will be at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church on March 15 to conduct a series of workshops. The evening begins at 6 with dinner and a “State of the University” address by PLU President Loren Anderson.

Topics for the workshops, which begin at 7:30, include “Forgiveness: A Miracle of Love,” “Creative Stewardship Strategies,” “Life’s Transitions: Learning to Let Go” and “Preparing for College.”

The event is designed for prospective university students as well as the general community.

Registration before Wednesday is advised. It’s free. Call (800) 258-6758. St. Mark’s is at 316 E. 24th.

“The Power of Touch in Healing” will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Medical Center’s Providence Auditorium. The seminar, led by Patrick McCormick, associate professor of Christian ethics at Gonzaga University, will explore how touch is seen in the context of various faiths.

A panel will discuss religious and cultural perspectives on touch. Panelists will include members of the Catholic, Protestant, Seventh-day Adventist, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Pentecostal, American Indian and Jewish faiths.

The cost, $15, includes continental breakfast and lunch. Call 455-3390 by Thursday to register.

One-woman play scheduled

“Fool for Christ” a one-woman play on the life of Dorothy Day, will be presented at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center at 4 and 7 p.m. March 14.

The play is performed by Sarah Melici, stage and television actress.

Dorothy Day, who died in 1980 at the age of 83, is considered by some to be one of the most influential figures in American Catholicism.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and are available through the center office at 448-1224. Advance purchase recommended. The center is at 6910 S. Ben Burr Road.